Doug Fister to DL; Tigers Call Up Casey Crosby

Doug Fister has returned to the Detroit Tigers disabled list after aggravating the injury that shelved him for a month earlier this season.  Fister is again dealing with an abdominal strain, and the Tigers want to make sure he is completely healed this time before having him rejoin their club.  To replace Fister in their rotation, Detroit has called up 23-year-old left-hander Casey Crosby.

An abdominal injury landed Fister on the Tigers DL following his first start of the season and kept him there through the start of May.  After returning from the DL, Fister posted a 3.25 ERA over his five May starts.

Fister was especially solid over his first four starts before he surrendered six runs on 11 hits over five innings in his latest start against the Red Sox.  Prior to this latest appearance, Fister admitted that he had experienced discomfort in his previously injured side.  However, this pain was compounded during his last start, resulting in his second trip to the DL of the season.

Because his initial injury shelved Fister for a month, it can be expected that the right-hander will need a similar amount of time to recover from his latest ailment.

Fister’s absence represents a big blow for the Tigers.  After joining Detroit last summer, Fister has been one of the Tigers best arms.  Over his 17 appearances including 16 starts for the Tigers over parts of the past two seasons, Fister has maintained an ERA and WHIP of 2.24 and 0.994.

The Tigers have called upon rookie left-hander Casey Crosby to replace Fister in their rotation.  Crosby has spent five seasons in the Tigers minor league system, maintaining a career ERA and WHIP of 3.67 and 1.375.  Over his nine starts for the Tigers Triple-A affiliate this season, Crosby has posted an ERA and WHIP of 4.26 and 1.362.

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